“Across the country, hospitals and primary and community care organisations are working together to look at ways of delivering safe and effective care over seven days a week. This helps address the link between poorer outcomes for patients and the reduced levels of service provision at the weekend.

Diagnostic and scientific services underpin all models of care irrespective of settings and most clinical pathways. Nationally, the seven day service forum, led by Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director for NHS England, has set out a plan to drive seven day services across England in the next three years1, as part of a transformational improvement programme. For this plan to be successful diagnostic and scientific services must be at the centre of service transformation. There are therefore huge opportunities for these services to contribute to delivery of this plan and to improve patient experience and outcomes.”